Device for monitoring a locked condition of locking and support components of a connecting device for fixing a child seat in a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for monitoring the locking position of a connecting device  5,  especially the locking position of a device for fixing a child seat in a motor vehicle, with a base body  11,  which can be connected with a support component  7  capable of being locked with a locking component  3,  a slider  13  arranged in the base body  11,  which when the base body is joined with the support component  7,  can be impinged at time of transfer of locking component  3  to the locking position by the locking component and displaced from an initial position into an end position corresponding to the locking position, and with a detection device  15  provided in or at the base body  11  for detection of the correct locking position of the locking component  3  and the support component  7  by detection of the position of the slider  13,  whereby the detection device  15  registers, in addition to the locking position, at least one additional position of the slider  13,  at a distance from the locking position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is directed toward the art of monitoring devicesand more particularly, to a device for monitoring the locking positionof a connecting device including intermateable locking and supportcomponents. The invention is especially suited for monitoring the lockedcondition of a connecting device for fixing a child seat in a motorvehicle.

There are several established techniques for fixing a child seat in amotor vehicle. In one method, the child is placed into the child seatand then the seat together with the child are fastened to the motorvehicle using a two-point or three-point belt system already provided inthe motor vehicle. In another method, the child seat can be firstattached to the motor vehicle with additional belts installed in thevehicle. Thereafter the child is restrained using auxiliary beltsintegrated into the child seat itself.

The motor vehicle industry has recently developed new standards and anew connection system for child seats. These special child seats haveintegrated locking elements which are connected with rigid supportelements provided in the motor vehicle. As an example, a pair of armsmay be provided on the child seat which each respectively includefrontal recess openings adapted to engage suitably formed U-shaped hoopswhich are firmly installed in the motor vehicle. After initiallyinserting the arms onto the hoop-shaped support components, the seat isthereafter more securely fastened by means of a locking device providedon the locking components or elsewhere on the child seat. Thisattachment system enables rapid installation of the child seat.Furthermore, since the child seat is solidly anchored to the motorvehicle, for all practical purposes there is no danger that the childseat will be torn from its anchorage during a collision.

One problem associated with child seats placed in motor vehicles,particularly when the child seats are placed on the front seat of themotor vehicle, is that air bag triggering must be prevented. Severalsystems have been developed for that purpose including infrared andultrasound detection systems which attempt to ascertain whether or not achild seat is installed in the motor vehicle. Air bag triggering isprevented if the infrared or ultrasound detection systems determine thata seat is present. However, such systems can offer no guarantee of 100%accuracy.

In the art of restraining systems for motor vehicles in general,monitoring devices and methods are known for monitoring the lockingposition of a connecting device proper. As an example, monitors areavailable for determining the locked condition of a belt lock of apassenger restraining system. Such monitoring systems can be employed inorder to prevent the triggering of an air bag in the event that there isno person in a particular seat, for example, the passenger seat. Inthose systems, when the belt associated with that seat is ascertained asbeing opened or unlocked, it is assumed that there is no person orpassenger located on that associated seat. Traditional devices formonitoring the locking position of belt lock systems include, in mostcases, a terminal switch which is contacted or otherwise actuated by acomponent of the belt lock system which is attached to the belt.

One problem with such systems, however, is that malfunctions are notalways detectable. As an example, it is not possible to differentiatewhether the belt lock is open or whether the circuit closer is defectiveand the electrical switch contact was not closed despite the successfullocking of the belt lock components. In this context, unpublished GermanPatent Application 198 30 229 describes a device for monitoring thelocking position of connecting devices which can be integrated in asimple fashion into existing and known belt lock connecting devices. Thedevice for monitoring the locking position of the connecting devicesdescribed in the application accounts for this error condition.

The above monitoring device ascertains two (2) relative positionsbetween the locking component and the support component of a connectingdevice during joining of the components from an unlocked to a lockedcondition. During joining of the components of the locking device, atleast one displaceable tag on one of the components is moved from afirst initial position to a second end position. First and second sensordevices respectively ascertain the presence or absence of the tag in theinitial and end positions. Using this approach, it is possible to notonly calibrate the monitored connecting device with regard to the lockedcondition of the components, but to ascertain connecting phases of theconnecting process. As an example, it can be determined with this deviceif one of the pair of sensors has failed. In addition, the monitoringdevice can determine whether the tag has been destroyed.

The state of the art described above is limited, however. There remainsa need for a device for monitoring the locking position of a connectingdevice, especially the locking position of a connecting device forfixing a child seat to a motor vehicle. It is preferred that themonitoring device can be installed in a simple fashion in a motorvehicle which is suitably provided with at least one support componentof the overall child seat connecting device. It is also desirable toprovide such a device which can monitor the connection state of a childseat connecting device in a simple fashion yet while anticipating theessential possibilities for failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention provides an apparatus for monitoring a lockedcondition of an associated connecting device adapted for attaching achild seat to a motor vehicle. The associated connecting device includesa support component attached to said motor vehicle and a lockingcomponent attached to said child seat. The apparatus comprises a basebody selectively connectable with the support component, a slider on thebase body and a detection device. The slider is movable relative to thebase body during transfer of the locking component from an unlockedcondition to a locking position. The slider is disposed on said basebody at a location to contact the locking component and is adapted to bedisplaced from an initial slider position corresponding to the unlockedcondition of the associated connecting device to an end slider positioncorresponding to the locking position of the associated connectingdevice. The detection device on the base body is adapted to detect saidlocked condition of the locking component and the support component bydetecting the slider in said initial slider position when the associatedlocking component is in the unlocked condition, and detecting the sliderin said end slider position when the associated locking component is inthe locking position.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the subject devicerecognizes a common failure mode of prior art switch monitoring devices,namely that even though the connecting device is in a locked positionand the end switch is activated, the internal contact may not be closedcorrectly due to wear and tear of the contact elements, or the like.Accordingly, in order to recognize this functional failure mode, thepresent invention monitors at least two positions of a slider member.More particularly, the device according to the present inventionmonitors not only the locked end position of the slider member but, inaddition, monitors at least one other position of the slider a distancespaced apart from the locking position. As a result, the functionalsafety of the monitoring device is drastically improved.

As examples of improved safety, the device of the present inventionrecognizes a failure mode of the switches when the connecting device isin a locked condition by first monitoring the switch signals when theslider member is in a position spaced apart a distance from the lockingposition. This initial position of the slider member indicates anunlocked or pre-locked condition of the connecting device. Conversely,the present invention recognizes the opposite sensor failure mode,namely the mode in which the sensor detecting the unlocked condition ofthe connecting device is present. In that regard, a signal that theslider member is in a position indicating that the connecting device isin the locked condition but without first receiving a signal that theslider device represents the unlocked condition presents the oppositeerror condition.

In accordance with another aspect, the device of the present inventiongenerates an “unlocked” failure signal only when there is an actualattempt of producing a locking connection between the locking andsupport components of the connecting device. The device of the presentinvention recognizes a locking attempt in two ways. In the first, thedevice monitors the movement of the slider member off from an initialposition which indicates that the connecting device is in an unlockedcondition. Also, a locking attempt is noted when the slider membertransitions to a state indicating that the connecting device is moved tothe locked condition. In contrast thereto, in prior art monitoringdevices with simple end switches, it was only possible to generate aconstant “unlocked” failure signal when the belts are not connected inthe example of lap and shoulder belts, from starting the ignition of thevehicle until the actual locking of the connecting device. Systems ofthis type were used primarily in connection with restraining systems inautomobiles whereby in actual practice, they turned out to betroublesome in that the failure signal was often generated, regardlessof whether or not the operator wanted to actually produce a locking.

In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the invention, themonitoring device includes a basic body member which is formed so thatit can be selectively locked together or screwed together with thesupport component of an associated connecting device. This results in anextremely simple installation of the monitoring device. Also, thepresent invention enables simple retrofitting capabilities. Eachassociated connecting device includes a locking component and a supportcomponent.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the basic bodyincludes a guidance region for the locking component. The guidanceregion defines an insertion channel for receiving the associated lockingcomponent portion of the associated connecting device. In that regard,this helps facilitate connection between the associated locking andsupport components when the connecting device is not readily visible oraccessible without difficulty. This may occur, for example, when thesupport components are provided in the gap of a motor vehicle seatbetween the seating area and the back rest. In that case, the guidanceregion of the basic body of the subject device is suitably formed in afashion so that it substantially extends into the gap between theseating area and the back rest so that the locking components of theconnecting device, such as a child seat, can be simply inserted into thethen visible openings of the guidance regions. The insertion channeldefined by the guidance regions facilitates simple insertion of thelocking components into the locking position.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, engagementrecesses are provided in the side walls of the insertion channel. Theengagement recesses are adapted to accept the support component of theconnecting device. As a result, the base body of the monitoring devicecan be simply clipped onto the locking component prior to connection ofthe locking components onto the support components. This embodimentincluding the guidance region is also useful with known detectiondevices which monitor only the locking position. Further, the embodimentis useful in combination with additional previously and subsequentlyexplained characteristics.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the slider memberis movable relative to the body member of the device. A region of theslider member is oriented in a vertical or transverse direction relativeto the direction of movement of the slider relative to the body. Thatportion of the slider is adapted for contact with the locking elementand extends laterally substantially the entire width of the supportcomponent and at least over the width of the insertion channel in theregion of the support component. This ensures that the slider will beactivated and not damaged during the connecting process when arelatively narrowly designed locking component is engaged with theassociated support component into the locked position.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, one or more magnetsare provided on the slider member. A detection device, preferably a Halleffect element device generates a signal when one or both of the magnetsare detected. It is to be appreciated that in accordance with theinvention, the detection device detects both the initial position of theslider as well as the end position of the slider. By recording orascertaining the initial position, it is possible to constantly monitorthe functional capability of the overall monitoring device and/or of thesensor devices for monitoring the initial position of the slider.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the detectiondevice generates at least a first and a second non-zero electricalsignal, whereby the first electrical signal corresponds to the initialposition or a suitable initial position range of the slider (connectingdevice in an unlocked condition). The second electrical signalcorresponds to the end position or a suitable end position range of theslider (connecting device in a locked condition). By comparing thesignals with predetermined theoretical values or predetermined valueranges, the present invention ascertains both the functional capabilityof the overall device as well as the position of the slider and, thus,in particular, notes the correct locking position of the connectingdevice.

In addition to the above, the detection device is adapted for furtheranalysis of the signals into several “operating signals” or “failuresignals”. As an example, an “operating signal” represents that thedetected initial position of the slider is present and the lockedposition of the slider is not detected. Conversely, a “non-lockingsignal” is generated as a failure signal when the detection device doesnot detect the initial position of the slider simultaneously with anon-detection of the locking position. This would indicate that theslider is between the first and second positions.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the detection devicegenerates a third electrical signal when the slider is located betweenthe initial position or range and the locking position or range. This isaccomplished by ascertaining the non-detection of the tag on the sliderrepresents that the slider is between the initial and the lockingpositions. Alternatively, a third sensor may be provided. Preferably,the third electrical signal is further processed into the “functionalsignals” and/or “failure signals” by the detection device viainter-connection of the third with the other previously describedsignals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangementsof parts, the preferred embodiments of which will be described in detailin this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings whichform a part hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a child seat provided withlocking components for attachment to support components associated witha motor vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the subject monitoring device inaccordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of the monitoring device shown in FIG.2 showing the slider member in an initial position;

FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of the monitoring device shown in FIG.2 illustrating the slider member in an end position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the monitoring deviceshown in FIG. 3 used in connection with a modified locking component onthe child seat;

FIG. 5a is a schematic perspective view of a monitoring device inaccordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and,

FIG. 5b is a schematic perspective view of the monitoring device shownin FIG. 5a with a slider member installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposesof illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention only and notfor purposes of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows a child seat 1 and aconnecting device 5 for connecting the child seat 1 to an associatedmotor vehicle (not shown). The connecting device 5 includes a pair oflocking components 3 arranged in the lower rear area of the seatingshell of the child seat and extending beyond the back rest portion ofthe seat. In addition to the locking element 3, the connecting device 5includes a pair of support components 7 which are rigidly attached tothe motor vehicle in a known manner. The support components 7 can alsobe arranged relative to the motor vehicle in a manner that they can betilted from an inoperative position (not shown) to a working position asshown in FIG. 1. In any case, the support components 7 are designed in amanner that they safeguard adequate attachment of the child seat to themotor vehicle by securedly attaching the locking elements 3 with thesupport components 7.

As shown in FIG. 1, the support components are disposed in a mannerrelative to the vehicle that they are accessible via the gap or slotbetween the motor vehicle seat and the seat back rest. In the event thatthe support components 7 are of the type which are capable of beingtilted from an inoperative position to a working position, the supportcomponents can protrude from the slot between the seating area and theseat back after they are tilted into the working position. Fixed orstationary support components are often recessed in the slot between theseating area and the back rest of the motor vehicle seat. It is to beappreciated that the present invention finds application in each of theabove connecting device arrangements.

The first preferred embodiment of a monitoring device 9 in accordancewith the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 a, 3 b, and 4.With reference first to FIG. 2, the monitoring device 9 includes a basebody 11 and a slider member 13 movable relative to the base body 11. Asshown, the slider 13 is displaceable substantially along the generallongitudinal axis of the base body 11 in a slot suitably formed therein.The position of the slider along its path is registered or detected by adetection device 15 shown in more detail in FIGS. 3a, 3 b, and 4.

Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, the detection device 15 is provided on theunderside of the base body 11 and includes an electronic unit 17. In itspreferred form, the electronic unit includes at least two (2) Hallsensors 19 which record the position of at least one magnetic element 21provided on the under side of the slider member 13. As shown in FIG. 3a,a first Hall sensor element is positioned in a manner that it detectsthe original or initial position of the slider 13. The original positionof the slider 13 is shown in FIG. 3a corresponds to the unlockedcondition of the connecting device 5. The electronic unit 17 is adaptedto determine whether the slider 13 is in the original positionillustrated in FIG. 3a, or is moved off from the original position byimpinging contact caused by a driving force of the locking component 3relative to the base body 11.

It is to be appreciated that several magnetic elements may be providedto detect each single position of the slider relative to the base bodysuch as, for example, two magnetic elements. For example, a pair ofsensoring devices may be provided in parallel and staggered or spacedapart in the coupling direction between the support and lockingcomponents. This provides a redundant sensor device scheme. In thatcase, a pair of magnetic elements are correspondingly provided which arelikewise arranged in a staggered and parallel spaced apart fashion onthe slider. Further, it is to be appreciated that the present inventioncontemplates the reversal of the position or locations of the tags withthe sensoring devices such as by providing the sensoring devices on theslider and the tags on the base of the body.

It is further to be appreciated that any means of inductive, capacive,or other sensoring type devices including optical sensing devices suchas light carriers or the like can be used to detect the at least twopositions of the slider member such as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3 b.

With reference now to FIGS. 2-4, a guidance region 23 is formed by themonitoring device 9 to facilitate easy insertion and assembly of thelocking components with the support components 7 when the supportcomponents 7 are recessed in the slot between the seating area and theback area of the motor vehicle seat. The guidance region 23 defines aninsert channel 25 for receiving the locking component 3. Preferably, theguidance region 23 forms the insert channel 25 in a manner that a widththereof reduces or diminishes in a direction from an opening in themonitoring device 9 towards the slider 13. More particularly, the widthof the insert channel 25 tapers in a horizontally transverse directionalong a path from right to left as viewed in FIG. 2. This guaranteessimple insertion of the locking elements 3 into the guidance regions 23of the monitoring device 9. In addition, the shape and arrangement ofthe insert channel 24 prevents destruction of the guidance regions 23when the locking components 3 are inserted into the guidance region 23in a misaligned or canted orientation.

Locking regions 27 are provided on the guidance regions 23 as best shownin FIG. 2. The locking regions 27 are formed on the frontal sides of theside walls facing the slider 13 and provide locking recesses 29. Thelocking recesses 29 are adapted to attach to the transversely extendingareas of the generally U-shaped support components 7 as best shown inFIG. 3a. Accordingly, the subject monitoring device 9 is very easilyinstalled onto the associated support components using the lockingrecess and region portions of the monitoring device by simply clippingone end of the monitoring device onto the respective support componentsof the motor vehicle. This installation permits a tilting movement ofthe monitoring device 9 about an axis defined by the anterior region ofthe respective support components 7. This prevents destruction of themonitoring device during insertion of the locking components 3 when theyare inserted at extreme angles. The monitoring device is advantageouslyloosely held and rotatable on the transverse areas of the supportcomponents 7.

With reference to FIGS. 3a and 3 b, the slider member 13 is movablerelative to the base body 11. In FIG. 3a, just prior to coupling thelocking component 3 with the support component 7, the nose portion ofthe locking component 3 impinges the slider member 13 at an original orinitial slider member position. Upon further insertion of the lockingcomponent 3 relative to the base body 11 of the subject monitoringdevice 9 through the insert channel 25 of the guidance region 23, theslider is moved or driven by the nose portion of the locking componentfrom the position illustrated in FIGS. 3a into the final or restposition of the slider illustrated in FIG. 3b.

Preferably, the second Hall element 19 is positioned in such a mannerthat it detects the magnetic element 21 provided on the slider 13 whenthe slider is in the end position illustrated in FIG. 3b. Of course, themagnetic element 21 is located sufficiently close to the second Hallelement 19 that a detectable signal is generated. The “detected” statusis then detected by electronics when it exceeds a given predeterminedthreshold.

It is to be appreciated that the locking component 3 of the associatedconnecting device 5 can have many shapes, sizes, and profiles. Thelocking component 3 shown in FIGS. 3a and 3 b has a “minimal-contour”size relative to the detection capabilities of the subject monitoringdevice 9. The “minimal-contour” of the locking component 3 produces theend position of the slider 13 depicted in FIG. 3b. This is accomplishedwith the locking component 3 securely locked together with the supportelement 7.

It is to be appreciated that the associated locking mechanism itselfgenerates the actual locking effect between the locking component 3 andthe support component 7. The particular arrangement of the lockingmechanism is not shown and is irrelevant to the present invention.However, such mechanisms may involve or include conventional lockingmechanisms which will, upon insertion of the support element 7 into therecess of the locking component 3 catch and automatically lock togetherand which may also comprise a manual unlocking device for theirseparation.

FIG. 4 shows the subject monitoring device 9 used in its“maximal-contour” application. FIGS. 3a and 3 b show the subjectmounting device 9 used in its “minimal-contour” application. As can beseen, the associated locking component 3 shown in FIG. 4 has a slightlydifferent size and shape than the locking component 3 shown in FIGS. 3aand 3 b. With respect to the minimal and maximal contour applications ofthe invention, the lower arm of the locking component impinges upon orcontacts the slider member 13 in each case. As is apparent from FIG. 4,the slider 13 of the monitoring device 9 is formed in a fashion that, onthe one hand, it guarantees a sufficient displacement path for insertionof the maximal contour until reaching the locking position (FIG. 4) and,on the other hand, in said maximal end position, detection is alsopossible of the magnetic element 21 by the second Hall element 19.

According to FIGS. 3b and 4, the present invention is applicable in bothmaximal and minimal contours of the associated locking component byselecting the longitudinal length of the magnetic element 21 togetherwith a specified length of Hall element 19 in such a fashion that securedetection is enabled in both the minimal end position (FIG. 3b) as wellas in the maximal end position (FIG. 4). As an example, the length andposition of the magnetic element 21 is selected so that a fulloverlapping of the Hall element and the magnetic element is just barelyrealized with the minimal contour and, that a full overlapping of themagnetic component 21 and the Hall element 19 is realized with themaximal contour of the locking component 3. It may be necessary in thatcase to display the actual locking of the locking mechanism at the motorvehicle seat itself.

It is to be appreciated that in accordance with the invention it ispossible to dimension the magnetic element 21 and the Hall element 19mechanically and electrically in such a manner that a “locking signal”is generated only when the locking component 3 is actually inserted onthe support components 7 and also inserted up to the catch and that asecure locking mechanism actually takes place. It is to be appreciatedthat adaptation of the specific contour of the locking component is,however, required in this case.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a second preferred embodiment of the subjectmonitoring device 9 is illustrated. The monitoring device shown there isparticularly appropriate for applications in which the supportcomponents 7 are visible and/or easily accessible. In the embodimentshown, the support component 7 is in the general shape of a U-shapedhoop. An installation plate 31 is firmly connected with the hoop on abackward underside region thereof. As described above, the installationplate 31 is adapted to serve for tilting the support component 7 in aplane of the installation plane from a position of rest into a workingposition.

The second preferred embodiment of the monitoring device 9 shown inFIGS. 5a and 5 b includes a base body 11 which is suitably attached tothe installation plate 31 of the support component 7. The base body isessentially formed in the shape of a plate, whereby the plate ispreferably a plastic coated pressed screen on which electronics 17 areplaced during construction of the coated pressed screen. The electronicscan take any suitable form such as by using the MID technique byapplication of metallized areas which constitute the conductor paths. Asshown in FIG. 5a, the base body 11 includes two locking zones 33 bywhich the base body is clipped into corresponding recesses in theinstallation plate 31. Of course, any suitable screw connection or othermechanical connection may also be provided. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5 b, the slider is movable relative to theplate shaped base body 11. To that end, the base body is formed somewhatnarrower than the interior space of the U-shaped support component 7.The slider extends preferably essentially over the full width of thebase body 11 and is displaceably guided with its lateral walls by meansof the lateral walls of the base body 11. To that end, guide grooves areprovided at the interior walls of the side walls of the slider 13. ofcourse, guidance of the slider 13 can also be performed by othermethods. According to the figures, the slider 13 thus performs thefunction of a cover for the electronics 17 and a slider member asdescribed above. Selection of the displacement area and detection of theslider 13 position is accomplished in accordance with the discussionabove regarding the specific embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and aretherefore not repeated here. FIG. 5a shows the final slider position inthe “minimal contour” application of the locking component 3. Lastly, itis to be noted that the slider 13 can be moved back into the initialposition by means of an electronic element such as, for example, aspring. The spring is used to return the slider in each of the aboveembodiments (FIGS. 2-4) from its end position to its initial position.

Analytical electronics are described in German Patent Application 198 30229, the entire contents of which are included herein by reference.

The invention has been described above with reference to the preferredembodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur toothers upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It isintended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar asthey come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalentsthereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for monitoring a locked condition ofan associated connecting device adapted for fixing a child seat in amotor vehicle, the associated connecting device including a supportcomponent attached to said motor vehicle and a locking componentattached to said child seat, the apparatus comprising: a) a base bodyselectively connectable with the support component; b) a slider on thebase body, the slider being movable relative to the base body duringtransfer of the locking component from an unlocked condition to alocking position, the slider being disposed on said base body at alocation to contact the locking component and be displaced from aninitial slider position corresponding to the unlocked condition of theassociated connecting device to an end slider position corresponding tothe locking position of the associated connecting device; and, c) adetection device on the base body for detecting said locked condition ofthe locking component and the support component by detecting the sliderin said initial slider position when the associated locking component isin the unlocked condition, and detecting the slider in said end sliderposition when the associated locking component is in the lockingposition.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base bodyis adapted for a one of a locked connection and a screwed connectionwith the associated support component.
 3. The apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the base body includes a guidance region adapted toreceive the associated locking component, the guidance region definingan insert channel between the guidance region and the locking component.4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the insert channel tapersin size in a direction from the associated locking component towards theassociated support component.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4,wherein the guidance region is joined with the base body.
 6. Theapparatus according to claim 5 further including locking recesses formedin side walls of the guidance region, the locking recesses adapting thebase body for selective connection 5 with the support component.
 7. Theapparatus according to claim 6 wherein a portion of the slider adaptedto contact the locking component extends in a direction transverse to adirection of relative locking movement between the support 5 componentand the locking component, the slider having a width corresponding to awidth of the insert channel in an area of the support component.
 8. Theapparatus according to claim 1 further including a plurality of magneticelements on said slider, the plurality of magnetic elements beingdetectable by the detection device.
 9. The apparatus according to claim1 wherein the detection device detects both the initial position and theend position of the slider.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9wherein the detection device is adapted to generate at least a first anda second electrical signal whereby the first electrical signalcorresponds to the 5 initial position of the slider and the secondelectrical signal the end position of the slider.
 11. The apparatusaccording to claim 10 wherein the detection device is adapted togenerate a third electrical signal which corresponds to a position rangeof the slider between the initial position and the end 5 position.